Senior Firmware Engineer, Audio Hardware & Bring-Up

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 150,400 - 277,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental coverage

Stock plan

Relocation help

Education reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking a Firmware Engineer to join the Beats hardware team. You will translate concepts into prototyped firmware and contribute to next-generation audio devices.

You will work on system integration, hardware bring-up, and cross-functional collaboration, with responsibilities spanning from schematics reading to driver development and validation. This role offers exposure to cutting-edge peripherals, ARM-based microcontrollers, and a fast-paced environment

Qualifications

• BS required in EE, CE, CS or equivalent with strong software focus.
• 6+ years of firmware and device driver development.
• Strong C programming skills.
• Experience with hardware bring-up, reading schematics and debugging.
• Experience with I2C, SPI, UART, USB.
• Familiarity with ARM Cortex architectures.

Responsibilities

• System Integration & Delivery: drive overall system delivery and ensure components integrate on schedule.
• Hardware Bring-Up: own initial hardware bring-up, read schematics, validate designs, test chips and components.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: coordinate across engineering teams to align hardware and software.
• Software Development: design, develop and prototyped software features.
• Testing & Validation: characterize, test and validate designs; create reports for stakeholders.

Skills

Firmware development

C programming

Hardware bring-up

Reading schematics

Software design

Embedded debugging

Bus interfaces

Education

BS in EE/CE/CS

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

The Apple Beats team is seeking a highly motivated Firmware Engineer with a strong foundation in engineering principles and a deep passion for new technologies. In this role, you will be at the forefront of researching, developing, and innovating solutions for the next generation of Apple audio products. You will play a critical role in the product development lifecycle, turning early concepts into fully realized, world-class audio devices. This role requires an energetic individual who thrives in a fast-paced, rapid-development environment and is ready to innovate.

Description

The Firmware Engineer will be part of a team that architect, design, develop, and maintain hardware and software systems for audio products. This engineer will also perform characterization, test and validation of each design; analyze results and create reports/presentations when needed.

Responsibilities

• System Integration & Delivery: Driving overall system delivery and ensuring all components integrate successfully on schedule.
• Hardware Bring-Up: Taking ownership of initial hardware bring-up. When receiving new hardware for the first time, you will read schematics, validate board designs, and methodically test different chips and components to ensure they are functioning and communicating correctly.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinating seamlessly across numerous engineering teams to align hardware and software efforts.
• Software Development: Executing software feature design, development, and rapid prototyping.
• Testing & Validation: Performing characterization, testing, and validation of each design. You will analyze test results and create detailed reports or presentations to share with stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Engineering (CE), Computer Science (CS), or an equivalent field with a strong software focus.
• 6+ years of professional experience in firmware and device driver development.
• Strong, demonstrable coding skills with a heavy emphasis on C
• Extensive experience in hardware bring-up, reading schematics, and debugging chip-level functionality on new hardware builds.
• Proven experience in software feature design, development, and rapid prototyping.
• Hands-on experience with standard bus interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB).
• Familiarity with compilers and toolchains targeting ARM Cortex-M/R/A architectures.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Engineering (CE), or equivalent.
• A genuine, deep-seated passion for innovation and embedded systems development.
• Familiarity with Bluetooth (BT) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies and protocols is a strong plus.
• Experience with C++ is a nice-to-have.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multiple cross-functional groups under minimal supervision.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $277,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.